Fruit picker or gatherer.



Gf. J'. PALLKIN. FRUIT PICKER OR lGAIHIBRER.

.APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 20, ,1913.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 17x, I nventor Attorneys I v V www l x G. J. PALLKIN. FRUIT PICKER 0R GATHBRER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE zo 191s.

1,085,728.' Patented Feb. 3, 191e z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor Witnesses Attorneys memes.

raras GEORGE J. FALLKIN, OF SAN JOSE, ILLINOS.

FRUIT PCKER OIR.I GATERER.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it -known that I, GEORGE J. FALLKiN, a citizen, of the United States, residing at San Jose, in the county oi' Mason and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Fruit PickerorGatherer, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to fruit pickers or gatherersand aims to provide a pass down the, tube or chute without being bruised.' y

Another object ot" the presenx invention is toprovide a device of the nature indicated Vwhich may be adjusted to various lengths,

. according to the height oat the fruit above the operator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a. novel and improved severing mechanism for plucking or detaching the fruit.

A. still further object of the present inventionis to provide nvel and improved means for actuating the severing mechanism by means or the sectional shaft passing through 4the tubular sectional pole.

A still further object of the present invention is yto provide a cutting or severing mechanism wherein the severing or cutting member is adjustable to accommodate fruit havingl short and long stems. f. Itis ,also within the scope of the present invention to improve generally the utility and construction of devicesof that character to which the present invention relates.

`The inventionhas been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein i Figure 1 .is a side elevation of the complete apparatus, parte being broken away. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragment-al detail of i the joints between the pole, shaft and c on veyer sections. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail en the hne 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. e is rn- 'Specication of Letters Patent.

Application tiled il une 20, 1913. Serial No. 774,883.

,ing mechanism. Fig. a

ing mechanism. Fig. 5 is a ragmental detail, similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the sew' ering member set for fruit having short stems. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the severis a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a perspective view ot' the severing member. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the actua-ting shaft. l.

In carrying out the present invention, reference being had in'detail to the drawings, there is provided a stall1 or pole designated generally by the numeral l, and comprising the upper section 2, the intermediate sec tions 3, of which there may be any number, and the lower section 4. The pole sections are tubular, and are preferably constructed of bamboo or similar stock` both for the purpose of lightness and rigidity.

The respective pole sections are coupled or joined by means of the couplings or joints designated generally by the numeral 5. Thus, the lower ends of the respective pole sections are provided with the male tubular members 6, while the upper ends of the respective pole sections are provided with the female tubular members 7, the male members 6 being adapted to slip or telescope into the respective members 7. rlhe male members carry jam or set lscrews 8, while the female members 7 are provided with notches 9 adapted to receive the screws 8, so that when the screws are tightened, the heads will' clamp the male and female membersl together. It will thus be apparent that the sections of thepole may be readily attached to and detached trom each other, and that any number of intcrrfiediate sections may be' provided, according to theA length ot pole needed.

A tube or chute, designated generally by the numeral l0,` is carried by the stall or pole l, and is preferably constructed of any suitable textile materia-l in order to prevent injury to the fruit passing therethrough. The chute or tube 10 is constructed of a rarentearenaiaia.

`tral vertieal section of the hood and sever-Y 'i plurality of sections 11, similar to the pole sections in number. Each of the tube sections 11 is carried by the respective pole section, eye screws l2 being engaged with the pole sections, and suitable rings or loops 13 connecting the eyes et' the screws 12 with the respective tube sections l1.. rlhe respective tube sections are thus loosely carried by the sci'eral pole sections.

The several tube or chute sections 11 are connected`'together, when the polesections are coupled together, so as to provide a continuous tube or chute coextensive lw-ith the pole. Thus, the lower ends of the respective tube sections 11 are slipped or fitted within the upper ends of the respective tube sections, a series of eyes 14: beingr attached to the respective tube sections adjoining their lower ends, while a plurality of hooks 15 are attached to the respective tube sections adjoining their upper ends and are adapted to engage the eyes 14 to connect the several tube sections together. The upper ends of the respective tube sections are adapted to slip under the eyes 14, although this is not essential, but is desirable for maintaining 'the upper ends of the tube sections in position. The lower ends of the respective tube sect-ions fitting within the upper ends of the adjoining sections wiltpernu't the fruit to descend origravitate -through the tube or chute without striking any obstruction which would be liable to bruise or injure the fruit. Coming now to the severing mechanism or picker proper. whiclrhas been designated generally by the numeral 1G, the same embodies a body attached to thel upper end of the pole, and to which body is attached, the upper end of the chute or tube, as will hereinafter appear more fully.

The severing mechanism 16 is actuated by means of a shaft 17 extending through the pole l, the shaft 17 being divided into a plurality of sections 18, corresponding in number with the pole. sections. Thus, a shaft section 18 is disposed within each pole section, bearings or bushings 19 being engaged within the respective ends of the pole sections 2 for journaling the shaft sections axially within the` pole sections. The several Shaft sections 18 are coupled together in a novel manner, when the pole sections are attached, and to this end, a coupling or clutch 20 is attached to the lower end of each ofthe respective shaft sections 18. The coupling or clutch 20 is provided with an angular or nonecircular socket 21, while the upper end of the respective shaftsections 18 are pro- .vided with reduced angular or non-circular projections 22 adapted to engage within the respective sockets 21 when the sections are slipped endwise into engagement. Thus, when-the pole sections are attached together, the several shaft sections will be engaged with each other, the shaft sections being rotatable with each other, but being adapted to separate by endwise movements, in order that the shaft as a whole may be properly -roscillated or rocked for actuating the severing mechanism.

Each of the shaft sections 18 is provlded with means for rocking or oscillating the shaft as a whole. Thus, a lever 23, has its inner end engaged or threaded through each shaft section 18 adjoining its lower end, the

levers 23 working through arcuate-slots 24: provided in the pole sections. Slotted plates v25 'are preferably secured to the pole sec- 'tions over the slots 24, to

tions of the pole' sections adjoining the slots, which are weakened by the slots.

l t will be evidenttliat the shaft may ybe actuated by any ofthe levers 23, inorder protect the por-l that the operation of the severing mechai nism will not be affected by the number of pole sections employed, the shaft `being operable from the lower end ofthe pole, as Well as at various intervals along its length.v

Referring specifically to the several mechanisms 1G, the body thereof embodies a lower plate 26, preferably of sheet metal,

which has its front edge curved, as at 27, a`

ring 28 being secured to thefront curved edge 27. To the ring or annulus 28 is attached the upper end of the chute or tube, or rather the upper end vof the upper tube section l1, this being readily accomplished to engage the shank 30 for securing the.

severing mechanism in position.

The body or frame of the severing mechanism also includes an upper plate 32, preferably of sheet metal, provided at its forward end with a V-shaped notch 33 Vproviding the arms 3ft, the upper plate, as a Whole, being in the form of a fork. The sides and and 232, respectively, are secured to the edges of the U-shaped plate 35, preferably of sheet metal, which completes the body of the severing mechanism. In this manner,- the upper pla-te is rigidly attached to the lower plate 2G, the .forward end of the upper plate 232 extending above the ring-.28 or the tube l0.'

The severing member is in the form of a tapered blade 3G which has its side edges .slightly curved, and having its smallest end pivoted to the'plate 82 adjoining the inner or rear end of the notch 33, or between the notch and the shaft section 18, by means of a pivot pin 3T passing loosely through the blade 3U and plate It is to be observed vthat the shaft 18 is journaled through the shank and through the upperplate 'the pivot pin 37 is removable, and has a spring washer 38 engaged on each end, the

upper washer lbearing Aagainst the pivotal portion of the blade l3G and the lower washer bearingagainst the lower face .of the platev 32, to frictionally hold the blade 36 against end of the'upper pole section 2, a setv 105 rear edges of the upper and lower plates 26 the upper face of the plate 32, whereby the edges of the'blade 36 will' shear past the edges ot' the Inotch 33. The blade 36 is adapted to swingover the respective arms 34 in order that the respective edges of the 'blade may shear past both edges of the "notch 33, in order that theblade may work both right and left handed.

` The blade or severing member 36 is provided with a shank 39 projecting rearwardly v@trom the pivotal point, and provided with an intermediate enlargement tOv having an y ,42 passing arcuate slot lll receiving the end ot"l the shaft sections 18.

The shank 39 is provided at its lfree end with a pair of depending fingers through an arcuate slot 43 provided in the plate 32 adjoining its rear end.

tive fingers axis ot the shaft section 18 and the pivotal 'from between the fingers 42.

severing member 36 may then be detached gngethe notch 33 A flat tongue or ward 44 is secured tothe shaft section 18, that is, the upper shaft section, directly belowthe upper plate 32, with its free portion standing between the respec- 42. t will be observed that the point of the blade are eccentricv with respect to one another, so that the tongue or wiper 'ifi will have a' sliding movement betweeni the fingers 42 as the shaft is rocked or swung to oscillate the blade 36. i

rilhe blade 36 in working upon the cutting plate 32 is relatively long "stems, but vmay be reversed,

-so as to work below the plate 32, ior severing fruit having relatively short stems.

This is accomplished by loosening the body ofl the severing mechanism from'thefpole, by unscrew-ing the set screw '315,-"sojthat the body may be slipped upWa-Idlyi. pllhe body of 'the severing mechanism in being moved upwardly with respect the pole will with-- draw the upper shaft section 18 from the plate 32 and will Withdraw the tongue 4e rlllhe blade or by removing the pivot pin 37, and after placing the blade 36 against the bottoinof the plate 32, the pivot pin 37 may again be inserted together with the spring Washers 38, in order that the lower washer will con tact with the blade 36 and in order that the upper washer will contact with the up-per face ofthe plate 32. The body of the cutting mechanism is 'then engaged with the pole, the upper shaft section 18 passing through the slot 41 of the bladeand through the upper plate 32, and the. tongue 4,4; again engaging between the ingers 42 as seen in Fig. The oscillation of thesliaft'will again impart a swinging movement to the blade, the blade working under the plate 32,

in order that the fruithaving short stems may be readily severed from the branches.

in use, after the device has been properly assembled, the operator grasps the lower end ot the pole and manipulates the saine te enadapted tosever fruit havingV ot the cutting plate 32- over the stems of the fruit, so that the ltowermost lever 23 may be swung to one. side, which will correspondingly swing the blade 36 for severing the tti-uit. It will be noted that the fruit may be severed by both opera tions of the blade 36, that is from each side to the other. After the fruit is severed, the

same drops into the upper end of the tube cr conveyer l0 and descends or gravitates down the tube-or conveyer to thelower end, from whencethe fruit may be removed by hand, or from whence the fruit may be disu charged directly into a basket or' other receptacle. AThe fruit, in contacting with the sides of the chute when the pole is inclined, will be retarded in its passage down the tube or conveyer 10, in order that the'fruit will not be injuriously bruised. or damaged.

iVith the assistance of the presentdevice, an

operator may readily pluck thetruit from the tree at. various heightsend with ease and despatch, the present-'device saving labor as well as time. As above' indicated` thexblade er severingmember 36 may be lfversed for either 'finit with long stems or lleverage 'forv actuating the blade orcutting member@ from the shaft.

The device may be constructed of various sizes, or lengths,and may be otherwise altered in its details without departing Jfrom the spirit et the invention as defined by the 'appended claims. The several parts may also be readily separated and assembled for tne purpose of adjusting the length of the device, or ier compactly shipping or storing the device when not in use. The several elements of the parts may also be taken apart for replacing broken parts, or for other purposes.

Alliavingv thus described the invention,

what is claimed is l. lin a device of the character described, a sectional pole, a sectional actuating shatt,

the respective sections of the shaft being ro.

tatably carried bythe sections of the pole, the adjoining ends of the respective pole and shaft sections having slip them against rotary movements with respect to one another, a severing mechanism carn ricd by the upper end of the pole, and having means opcratlveiy connecting the shaft and severing mechanism.

2. lin a device ont the character described, a sectional tubular pcie, a sectional shaft within the pcie, the respective sections of joints toY lock leo i the shaft being journaled for rotation Withthe upper end of the pole and A connected withv the sha-ft.

1n the sections of the pole, the respective ends of the pole and shaft sections having slip joints to lock them against rotation with respect to one another, a severing mechanism carried by the upper end of the pole and operatively connected With the shaft, and means for actuating the shaft.

3. YIn a device oi the character described, a sectionaltubular pole, a sectional shaft disposed Within the pole, the sections of Athe shaft being journaled for rotation Within the respective sections of the pole, the respective ends of the pole and shaft sections having slip joints to lock them against rotation with respect to one another, the pole sections each having an arcuate slot, a lever connected to each shaft section and Working through the respective slot to oscillate vthe shaft, and ,a severing mechanism carried by operatively 4. In a device of the character described.

l a pole, a hood attached thereto, Vthe hood including an upper plate provided with a note a blade pivoted to the said plate to swing over the notch, the blade having la shank provided `with a pair of fingers, a shaft carried by the pole, and a tongue. carried by the shaft and extending between the said lingers.

5. In a device of the character described, a pole, a hood carried thereby embodying an upper plate provided with hood and pole being detachably connected,

a shaft carried by through the said plate, a blade, a' pivot pin pivoting the blade to the said plate intermediate the notch and shaft, the blade being reversible to Work against both faces of the alato, ivith an arcuate slot receiving the shaft, Ithe said shank having a pair of dependingfingers, the said plate being provided With-an arcuate slot to receive the lingers, and a tongue secured to the shaft and standing between the two `lingers.

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tivo Witnesses. l

GEORGE J. FALLKIN. lVitnesses:

JOHN B. Noimis, Crans HoPnWnLL.v

the blade having a shank provided- 

